Nature Conservation and Engagement Officers

THE CONSERVATORS OF ASHDOWN FOREST

Nature Conservation and Engagement Officer(s)

Hours per week: 37 flexible working.

Salary: NJC Scale 5 SCPs 12-17 – £27,711 to £30,060
subject to experience.

Have you got a passion for wildlife and conservation? Do you love to engage with
people to provide positive experiences? Would you like to work on one of the most important
wildlife sites in southern England? The Board of the Conservators of Ashdown
Forest have an exciting opportunity to appoint two Nature Conservation and Engagement Officers
to support the management of Ashdown Forest.

The Board has a strategic vision to protect, conserve, and enhance the nature and culture of
Ashdown Forest as the most extensive biodiverse heathland and open space in Sussex for the
enjoyment, education, health, and recreation of all. We are looking for two enthusiastic and
motivated people with a passion for wildlife conservation, heathland management and public
engagement to deliver the management programme of works across Ashdown Forest. This will
involve organising and undertaking volunteer work parties, leading guided walks, and engaging
positively with internal and external stakeholders about the Forests’ management. This will
also include conducting ecological surveys and undertaking a range of practical habitat and
site management tasks.

Working under the Head of Countryside and supervised by the Site Manager, you will support the
organisation’s goal of achieving favourable conditions for the SSSI through exemplary land
management, reverse the decline of biodiversity loss, and provide an outstanding visitor
experience.

About the Forest: Originally a deer hunting forest, Ashdown Forest is now one
of the largest free public access spaces in the Southeast and an internationally important
heathland. The responsibility for managing Ashdown Forest on behalf of the Owner, who since
1988 has been the Ashdown Forest Trust, lies with an independent body, The Board of
Conservators of Ashdown Forest. The Board, created in 1885, has been regulated under a series
of Acts of Parliament, the most recent being the Ashdown Forest Act 1974

About the role: These newly created posts will join the existing team and be
instrumental in assisting and leading many of the day-to-day operational activities across the
Forest. These roles will require excellent ecological, interpersonal, and communication skills.
This role will require some out-of-hours and being part of a weekend work rota. This role must
have the ability to drive.

Closing date for applications Sunday, 13th April 2025
Potential interview dates include 28th & 29th April 2025

The Conservators of Ashdown Forest, The Ashdown Forest Centre, Wych Cross, Forest Row, East
Sussex, RH18 5JP www.ashdownforest.org